1 Peter 2:12
having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Truth to Learn
Our good conduct will bring glory to God.
Behind the Words
“Conduct” is translated from anastrophē, which literally means “to turn again.” By implication it means “to move around.” It’s a reference to the way we behave as we move back and forth through this life on earth.
The word translated “honorable” is kalos, which literally means “beautiful” but by figure, as used here, it means “good in quality or character.”
The word translated “visitation” is episkopē, which is made up of epi, meaning “on” or “over” and a form of skopeō, meaning “to give attention to.” Hence, it primarily refers to an inspection. Some scholars believe this refers to the day that God visits a person to open his or her eyes to the truth of the gospel. That is, the day they are “saved.” Others, however, believe that this refers to the day when God will judge the unbelievers. Since the term primarily refers to an inspection, it is more likely that Peter is referring to the Day of Judgment.
Meaning Explained
In the previous verse we learned that Peter is telling us we need to exert our will to keep ourselves away from (or abstain from) fleshly lusts. Now he tells us that we should exhibit “honorable” behavior. Not only do we need to avoid letting our lusts control us, we need to behave in a manner that is generally regarded as good. And in whose presence are we to behave this way? The Gentiles.
“Wait a minute,” you say, “I thought Gentiles were non-Jews?” The word translated Gentiles in this verse is ethnos. Back in verse 9 we talked about the fact that God has made us a “holy nation” The word translated “nation” in that verse is this same Greek word, ethnos. It means “a race of people” or “a nation of people,” and Peter is using it here in the vernacular sense of those who are not of us or, more specifically, those who are not Christians. We are to live an exemplary life, a life without reproach, in front of the unsaved.
The reason, according to Peter, is that in living this way we may, by our good works, cause the unbelievers to glorify God in the day of visitation. These same people who deride us and treat us with disregard or contempt will give God glory one day.
Perhaps our current good behavior will be used as evidence against those who speak evil against us, showing that their attitude toward God was wrong. It does not appear that we will derive any personal satisfaction out of such judgment, and we are not to live godly lives for our own benefit. We are to live this way so that God will receive praise and glory.
Application
We are not here on this earth to do great things for ourselves; we are here to serve Him. Let us strive to live humble, godly lives and do good works, not for ourselves, but so that God will be glorified! After all, He is worthy!
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2008 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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